Greenville Faces Increase in School Threats
Greenville, SC — The recent shooting at a high school in Georgia has sparked a wave of copycat threats across schools in Upstate South Carolina, leading to several young students facing serious legal consequences. Within a week, four students, aged between 12 and 14, have been charged with making verbal threats toward their schools.
Local education authorities noted that it is not unusual to see a rise in such reports after a tragic event like the one in Georgia. On September 10, principals from 13 schools in Greenville County reached out to parents to inform them about rumors concerning threats at their schools. Thankfully, investigations found that none of these threats were credible.
In nearby Oconee County, school officials confirmed they looked into three possible threats on September 9, which resulted in one student being charged. South Carolina law prohibits any type of threat to kill or harm other students, regardless of the intent behind the words, even if they are made in jest.
For instance, a 13-year-old student in Greer was charged after he was overheard in class saying he would “shoot up the school,” according to police spokesperson Chris Forrester. Authorities are emphasizing the seriousness of such remarks, highlighting that even comments made lightly can lead to criminal charges.
“Whether joking or not, if someone makes a threat against a school, they can be charged,” stated Ryan Flood, spokesperson for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Officials are keen to remind the public that threats create panic and insecurity, not just for students but also for families and law enforcement.
Recently, panic has ensued in several schools due to threats circulated on social media. One concerning post listed multiple schools and claimed a shooting would occur at each of them on a specified date and time. As this message spread quickly among students and parents, it resulted in heightened concern within the community.
In response, the Greenville County School District, along with local police, urged everyone to take threats seriously and to report any concerning messages through the appropriate channels instead of just sharing them online. They noted that unchecked rumors only add to the fear and complications surrounding school safety.
Despite many threats potentially being false, schools across the Upstate are adopting a cautious approach to ensure the safety of students and staff as they navigate these unsettling times.
